Coventry City midfielder Tom Bayliss is backing summer signing Dujon Sterling to be a big hit at the club this season.

The established Sky Blues teenager has spent the most time with the Chelsea loan signing than any of his team-mates due to the fact that the pair have been on international duty with England Under-19s for the last week and a half.

They are part of Paul Simpson’s 20-man squad competing in the UEFA European Championships in Finland, which could run until the end of the month if they get to the final.

Bayliss and Sterling have been paired up, rooming together for last week’s training camp at St George’s Park and at their tournament base in Vaasa.

And Bayliss has been hugely impressed by the attacking right-back who he’s convinced will be popular with City fans during his season-long stay at the Ricoh Arena.

Getting to know each other: Dujon Sterling (centre) and Tom Bayliss (right) have become close during their time with England

“He’s a top footballer who has got loads of talent,” said Bayliss.

“He’s from Chelsea and he’ll be a massive thing for Coventry and this England team in the Euros.”

Asked what qualities supporters can expect to see from the 18-year-old, Bayliss said: “He’s got lots of pace and the fans should be excited about him, as they should all the new signings who have all got their strengths in different ways, and hopefully that will help us in the higher league.”

Chelsea youngster Dujon Sterling

He added: “Duj is a top lad. The first time I met him was at the kit launch and he was a shy lad but I am rooming with him while we’re away and we have become quite close.

“The first thing Duj asked me at the kit launch was what’s it like at Coventry?

“And I told him that the gaffer trusts young players and if you work hard for him then he’ll give you the rewards you want.

“So he knows what it takes to be loved by the fans, loved by the other players and the manager, and hopefully it will be a good move for him.”

Asked for his impressions on City’s new signings, Bayliss said: “I was only with them a week before I came away with England but they are all very good in their own way.”

Dujon Sterling (left) and Tom Bayliss (right) on England duty

There’s competition for places throughout the team including midfield where Mark Robins has drafted in experienced Shrewsbury Town skipper Abu Ogogo to battle for the two central midfield berths where he, Michael Doyle and Liam Kelly competed last season.

“It’s going to be tough but competition is healthy and I think we will all drive each other on and hopefully that will show in our performances on the pitch,” he said.

Bayliss, of course, showed his versatility by being played wide on occasions and further forward in a No.10 role.

But asked what’s his favoured or best position, he’s in no doubt.

“Central midfield is definitely my favourite position but if I am playing on the right or as a No.10 then I don’t mind,” said the 19-year-old team player.

“I will do a job for the team and do what the gaffer asks of me.”

Welcome praise for Sky Blue Bayliss

England Under-19s boss Paul Simpson has revealed that Coventry City’s Tom Bayliss would have been called up for international duty earlier if the Sky Blues hadn’t been so successful last season.

The Young Lions’ coach, who says the teenager has been a credit to his football club since joining the England set-up, wanted to invite the midfielder into the squad at the back end of the campaign.

“Unfortunately for us Tom got to the play-off finals with Coventry and that scuppered his chances of coming on a La Manga trip with us on a prep camp,” said Simpson, whose side won their opening Group B game 3-2 against Turkey in the UEFA European Championships in Finland yesterday.

“But Tom’s a player who we kept our eye on last season with many visits down to Coventry’s stadium to watch him play, and he impressed me a lot.

England U-19s coach Paul Simpson

“And he and Dujon (Sterling) have settled into the group really well and their performances on the grass have been excellent as well, so I am looking forward to see them both in the games now.

“Dujon has been with us for the season while Tom is a new comer, but they have both done really well.”

Sterling, who has joined the Sky Blues on a season-long loan from Chelsea, played the full 90 minutes in the Under-19s’ first group game, while Bayliss was an unused substitute and has to wait to make his England debut.

But Simpson believes the City Academy graduate is ready for when called upon in the tournament after making 32 first team appearances for Mark Robins ’s side last term.

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“It’s incredible,” said Simpson.

“His name got flagged up to us early on last season and when I watch him play in first team games for Coventry he doesn’t look out of place.

“And when he comes into this environment you can see that he has got that first team experience, got that know-how of how to play and the right things to do.

“And not only on the grass, because he knows how to look after himself and behave off the field as well, and so far he has been a credit to his football club and hopefully we’ll be saying the same thing on July 30 after the final.”

Tom Bayliss on England Under-19 duty

As for Sterling , asked how important it is for players like him to get experience on a season long loan at a club like Coventry, he said: “Yes, it’s a massive part of it.

“The Academy teams have done a fantastic job and Chelsea are probably one of the strongest in the whole of the country. They have got some really talented players there.

“Under-23s football can take you to a certain point and then they need to get that senior football, so it’s a great opportunity for Duj to go to Cov, to be involved in their first team, hopefully over the season.

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“And we have got a lot of the other lads getting first team experience as well. It doesn’t always have to be the Premier League or the Championship. Leagues One and Two are really strong leagues and hopefully the players will develop by going out there.”

Tom Bayliss in action for the Sky Blues

Several senior England players have experience in lower leagues with the likes of Jamie Vardy, Kieran Tripper and Harry Kane either starting out or having loan spells outside the top flight earlier in their careers.

Asked if that’s good news for lads at club’s like Coventry, seeing that England pathway opening up, Simpson said: “Of course it is.

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“That was always the case with England players having sampled life in the lower leagues but it feels really disrespectful to say lower leagues because Leagues One and Two are really strong leagues with some good football clubs in there.

“The important thing is that they get senior football, whatever level that is because it will improve them as people and as football players.

“And what we hope is that this Under-19 group get lots of match minutes in senior football next season and continue to develop.”